A man accused of initiating one of the wildfires in Spokane, Washington, which have caused extensive damage to hundreds of structures, meticulously planned the act over several weeks and conducted research to determine the optimal weather conditions for setting it ablaze, as per police statements.
Following his apprehension, Aaron Farinacci revealed to Spokane County Detective Michael Drapeau that he expressed admiration for the power and beauty of fire, believing that things passing through flames undergo a form of rejuvenation, according to a court document filed by Drapeau on Wednesday.
Farinacci, aged 37, faces charges for igniting the Old Trails fire, one of the three fires in the Spokane region that have scorched over 850 buildings, leading to the destruction of entire neighborhoods and streets, and the evacuation of tens of thousands of individuals. Additionally, he is implicated in connection with four smaller fires ignited in the summer of 2025 and the previous month.
Although Farinacci was scheduled for arraignment on five counts of first-degree arson on Thursday, his legal counsel requested a competency evaluation before entering a plea. Spokane Superior Court Judge Jeremy Schmidt acknowledged the request, setting a bail of $2 million US, citing concerns that Farinacci posed a risk to community safety, was a flight risk, and had the potential for committing violent acts.
Colin Charbonneau, the defense attorney, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Initially, Farinacci denied his involvement in starting the Old Trails fire when contacted by law enforcement. However, during an interview with Drapeau, he admitted to igniting that fire, as well as others from the past year and month, leading to the addition of four more arson charges.
Farinacci disclosed that he habitually carried marijuana or cigarettes to justify his possession of a lighter and matches. Drapeau mentioned that Farinacci perceived arson as a crime easy to evade if given enough time, which he had.
In preparation for initiating the Old Trails fire, Farinacci monitored the weather conditions to select a day with high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity, according to Drapeau. He also studied the tactics of a notorious serial arsonist and acquired materials to craft a time-delay device for starting a wildfire, utilizing notebook paper, matches, a cigarette, and a rubber band.
Farinacci deliberately chose Saturday, August 1, to set the fire, anticipating wind speeds of up to 80 km/h. Despite acknowledging the fire’s severity, he claimed he did not intend for it to escalate to the extent that it did.
Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels mentioned in a press conference on Thursday that it would take weeks before residents could safely return to their homes in the fire-ravaged areas. Fortunately, no fatalities or severe injuries have been reported thus far.
Drapeau disclosed that Farinacci also took responsibility for 25 fires near his apartment building in the summer of 2025. Farinacci had previously served approximately ten years in prison after fatally shooting his father in Mesa, Arizona, in 2010. Following the incident, he survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was later convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault in 2012, with his mental health being a recurring concern throughout the legal proceedings.
